Health

Anesthesiology

Article Abstract:

Pain management is an important concern for anesthesiologists. After a year of training in pain management or 2-year practice equivalent, the American Board of Anesthesiology gives a Certificate of Added Qualifications in pain management to board-certified anesthesiologists. Another concern to anesthesiologists is nerve injury during hospitalization. In one report of 200,000 patients, several factors were given, including surgery longer than four hours, smoking history and a specified body mass index. Not associated with neuropathy was regional anesthesia. The Closed Claims Project of the American Society of Anesthesiologists provides clinical information on rare cases. The number of claims of brain injury and death from anesthesia is decreasing. Recent studies find that anesthetic activity is located in the spinal cord and not the brain. Epidurals may be administered to women in early stages of labor without increasing cesarean delivery.

Author: Saidman, Lawrence J.

Publisher:American Medical AssociationPublication Name:JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical AssociationSubject:HealthISSN:0098-7484Year:1995

Care and treatment, Injuries, Surveys, Pain management, Nerves

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Anesthesiology

Article Abstract:

People scheduled for surgery should be aware that anesthesiologists have developed mechanisms to control pain during and after surgery as well as during diagnostic procedures. Pre-emptive analgesia attempts to block chemicals generated in the body during surgery that alter sensory processing, producing postoperative pain. The American Society of Anesthesiologists produced a practice guideline in 1995 to assist other physicians who have to administer anesthetics for diagnostic tests. Many intensive care units are using neuromuscular blocking agents, but these drugs often cause prolonged weakness even when discontinued. These drugs should be avoided whenever possible, but if necessary, dosages should be tailored to fit each patient's underlying medical condition. Transcranial Doppler is being used by more anesthesiologists to study the effect anesthetics have on cerebral blood flow and metabolism.

Author: Saidman, Lawrence J.

Publisher:American Medical AssociationPublication Name:JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical AssociationSubject:HealthISSN:0098-7484Year:1996

Drug therapy

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Anesthesiology

Article Abstract:

The American Society of Anesthesiologists published four practice guidelines in 1996. They include the use of sedatives and analgesics by non-anesthesiologists, the use of blood components such as platelets, plasma and factor concentrates, the use of transesophageal echocardiography and the treatment of cancer pain. Anesthesiologists are also evaluating the use of various procedures on patient outcome. The drugs sevoflurane, remifentanil hydrochloride and ropivacaine were introduced in 1996.

Author: Todd, Michael M.

Publisher:American Medical AssociationPublication Name:JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical AssociationSubject:HealthISSN:0098-7484Year:1997